Glasgow Winterfest

We’ll see a pigeon-infested George Square (plus St Enoch Square) transform into a winter wonderland again, complete with all its classic Christmassy features. The Helter Skelter, 80m Drop Tower and Santa’s Train are all due to make an appearance at this year’s fair.
St Enoch Square and George Square, Glasgow, Saturday 9 November–Sunday 5 January.

Edinburgh's Winter Festival

It wouldn’t be Christmas without freezing for 20 minutes waiting for a mulled wine at the markets. But this year’s Winter Festival also includes an impressive line-up of shows and events including Susie McCabe, the StarFlyer, Hot Dub Time Machine, and Shrek cabaret Swamplesque.
Various venues, Edinburgh, Friday 15 November–Saturday 4 January.

Christmas At The Botanics

A staple of Edinburgh festivities. The yearly light trail around the Botanics sees the wintery trees and winding pathways of the gardens become a twinkling wonderland. It’s the one time of year that the grounds are prettier to see at night than in the daytime.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Thursday 21 November–Monday 30 December.

Castle Of Light

One of Scotland’s biggest projection shows, this festive event illuminates Edinburgh Castle for a fifth year. Learn some of the nation’s history through light shows, music and interactive experiences beamed onto the castle walls. 
Edinburgh Castle, Friday 22 November–Saturday 4 January. 

Oor Wullie

Jings! Crivvens! Help ma boab! Noisemaker present their smash-hit musical of Scotland’s beloved comic strip this Christmas. Celebrating 85 years of this iconic character, the show returns with extra songs and local-adjacent gags. So snag yer tickets noo!
Dundee Rep, Saturday 23 November–Monday 30 December.

Cinderella

Edinburgh’s renowned pantomime is a reliable classic. This year’s extravaganza features Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young once again as Cinders ditches her scullery rags for royal riches. Oh no she doesn’t; oh yes she does, etc and so forth.
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Saturday 23 November–Tuesday 31 December.

Peter Pan

In the west, another festive classic takes flight. No panto is complete without its legends and Glasgow’s features the return of Elaine C Smith as Mrs Smee and Johnny Mac as Smee. Also in the cast are Darren Brownlie playing Tink and Blythe Jandoo being Wendy. 
King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Saturday 23 November–Sunday 5 January.

Weans In The Wood(lands)

Glasgow audiences will love this original panto by Martin McCormick. Poash lass Corletta Kelvinbridge and her wee (not so poash) pal Shuggy are tasked with saving the world from a baddie who hates children. Pie and pint included in your ticket.
Òran Mór, Glasgow, Tuesday 26 November–Sunday 5 January.

Treasure Island

A world premiere of this brand-new musical based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic. The show puts a Christmassy spin on the iconic story, adapted by Orkney playwright Duncan McLean and directed by Wils Wilson.
Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Thursday 28 November–Saturday 4 January.

Winterfest At Dalkeith Country Park

A shiny new ice rink, wreath-making workshops and elf storytelling all feature in Dalkeith this winter. Their opening evening event has Santa Claus himself turning on the lights. Don’t worry if it’s chilly: you can toast your own s’mores and cosy up at their festive fire pit.
Dalkeith Country Park, Friday 29 November–Monday 6 January. 

Helensburgh Winter Festival

You don’t have to be in the big city to visit a Christmas market. Helensburgh hosts its own, complete with Santa’s Grotto, fairground rides and festive performances. #ThinkLocalFirst and get down to the 12th annual event in ‘The Christmas Town’.
Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, Saturday 30 November & Sunday 1 December. 

The Muppet Christmas Carol

This year, we can leave the battered old DVD in the cupboard and experience this timeless film like never before. The iconic soundtrack to everybody’s favourite version of A Christmas Carol will be performed live by an orchestra alongside a screening of the Disney classic. 
SEC, Glasgow, Monday 2 December; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Wednesday 4 December.

Rumpelstiltskin

A seasonal take on the timeless tale, this festive Rumpelstiltskin will be a top pick for younger audiences. Our hero doesn’t fit in but is doing his best to befriend the popular Princess Bunnyflops. But will he manage to make a new friend for Christmas?
Platform, Glasgow, Tuesday 3–Tuesday 24 December.  

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

Making an epic return to the musical he received rave reviews for, Donny Osmond stars as Pharaoh in a new rendition of the classic show. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved spectacular is a must for musical-theatre fanatics.
Edinburgh Playhouse, Tuesday 3–Sunday 29 December.

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

An enchanting rendition of The Nutcracker will grace our stages this winter. Scottish Ballet’s artistic director Christopher Hampson brings the magic of the sugarplum fairies to life in this latest version of an iconic ballet.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Friday 6–Monday 30 December; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Wednesday 8–Saturday 18 January.

Science Lates: Curious Christmas

This adults-only offering sees Glasgow Science Centre go festive. The night-time event will include experiments and demonstrations, and a seasonal science show. The Planetarium promises a show-stopping starry adventure as well.
Glasgow Science Centre, Saturday 7 December.

Jupiter Christmas Fair

The gorgeous grounds of Jupiter Artland hosts a weekend festive fair. Browse artisan gift stalls, listen to live seasonal music and, of course, enjoy homemade mulled wine. The fair also has ‘festive donkeys’, setting it apart from donkey-less winter markets.
Jupiter Artland, Wilkieston, Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 December.

Candlelight: Christmas Movie Soundtracks

There’s nothing like the nostalgic feeling of hearing those classic Christmas soundtracks. Candlelight Concerts have curated an orchestral rendition of everybody’s favourite movie tunes (from ‘Let It Snow’ to ‘Let It Go’) in order to get even the meanest Scrooges among us in the holiday mood.
The Tall Ship, Glasgow, Friday 13, 20 December.

Beecraigs Starry Nights

A magical illuminated trail that lights up West Lothian’s landscape. Beecraigs Country Park will boast a range of Christmassy light installations and decorations, including Candy Cane Lane, Fairy Forest, Festive Faces and a Christmas Campfire.
Beecraigs Country Park, Linlithgow, Friday 13–Monday 23 December.

The Gift

This award-winning dance show by Barrowland Ballet, back by popular demand, proves imagination is much more valuable than any Christmas present. Discarding their toys for cardboard boxes and wrapping paper, these dancers are sure to prompt wee ones’ creativity this year.
The Studio, Edinburgh, Saturday 14–Tuesday 31 December.

MagicFest

It’s MagicFest’s 15th year, but we know they’ve got plenty more up their sleeve. Kevin Quantum, Tricky Ricky and The Secret Room all appear on this year’s line-up.
Various venues, Edinburgh, Tuesday 17–Monday 30 December.

Vivaldi Four Seasons At Christmas By Candlelight

This arrangement of Vivaldi’s timeless violin concerto lands in the fittingly festive setting of Glasgow Cathedral. The Piccadilly Sinfonietta play alongside pianist Warren Mailley-Smith and leading violin soloist Ben Norris.
Glasgow Cathedral, Thursday 19 December.

Irn-Bru Carnival

Europe’s largest indoor fun fair and arguably Glasgow’s most iconic annual event. This year’s Irn-Bru Carnival returns with three new rides as well as beloved favourites. Families with older or younger kids can make a festive day of it.
SEC, Glasgow, Friday 20 December–Sunday 12 January.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay

You may be used to watching Jackie Bird’s New Year countdown on the telly but if you’re game enough to tackle the capital’s streets, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will include a headline set from Texas with Callum Beattie as special guest.
Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Tuesday 31 December.